John Lee Peterson Jr.

.John Lee "Pete" Peterson, Jr., passed away Thursday, March 11, 2010. John was born October 16, 1933, in Jacksonville, FL. He was preceded in death by his father, John, Sr., his mother, Mildred, his sister, Dorothy Galliger and his son (in law), Michael O'Grady. John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Frances, son, John Dennis and his wife, Cheryl, daughter, Nancy O'Grady, grandchildren, Elaine Taube, Crystal Valentine, John Isaac Peterson, Sara Mae Peterson, Joshua Peterson, Rainey O'Grady Hinton, Patrick O'Grady (Amy), great grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Taube, Sean Isaac Valentine and Grady Hinton, sisters Joyce...

.John Lee "Pete" Peterson, Jr., passed away Thursday, March 11, 2010. John was born October 16, 1933, in Jacksonville, FL. He was preceded in death by his father, John, Sr., his mother, Mildred, his sister, Dorothy Galliger and his son (in law), Michael O'Grady. John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Frances, son, John Dennis and his wife, Cheryl, daughter, Nancy O'Grady, grandchildren, Elaine Taube, Crystal Valentine, John Isaac Peterson, Sara Mae Peterson, Joshua Peterson, Rainey O'Grady Hinton, Patrick O'Grady (Amy), great grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Taube, Sean Isaac Valentine and Grady Hinton, sisters Joyce Carmody (Tom), Betty Tomlinson (James) and Mary Trotter (Jimmy). He attended Lee High School and in 1951 joined the United States Army, serving in the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper. He fought for his country in the Korean War and was discharged honorably in 1954. After discharge, he went to work for Sealtest Icecream, then the Jacksonville Shipyard, finally landing a career with Southern Bell. John took an early retirement after 31 years in 1987. After retirement he engaged in several small businesses. He was an extremely active man his entire life. In his younger years, he loved to drag race and in his later years, enjoyed collecting and restoring classic cars. He was a member of St. Augustine Cruisers and the American Legion, Post 137. John loved sports and enjoyed the outdoors and looked forward to watching his great grandson, Sean, play baseball. He was a hard worker and loved his family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Hardage - Giddens Edgewood Funeral Home, 729 S. Edgewood Ave., Jacksonville, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family request that you make a donation to any cancer research or a charity of your choice. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com